Synthesis and Self-Aggregation of Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-Based Photocleavable Block Copolymer: Micelle, Compound Micelle, Reverse Micelle, and Dye Encapsulation/Release

Stealth Effect of Short Polyoxazolines in Graft Copolymers: Minor Changes of Backbone End Group Determine Liver Cell-Type Specificity

Dye-loaded micelles of 10 nm diameter formed from amphiphilic graft copolymers composed of a hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) backbone and hydrophilic poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) side chains with a degree of polymerization of 15 were investigated concerning their cellular interaction and uptake in vitro as well as their interaction with local and circulating cells of the reticuloendothelial system in the liver by intravital microscopy. Despite the high molar mass of the individual macromolecules (M_n ≈ 20 kg mol^-1), backbone end group modification by attachment of a hydrophilic anionic fluorescent probe strongly affected the in vivo performance. To understand these effects, the end group was additionally modified by the attachment of four methacrylic acid repeating units. Although various micelles appeared similar in dynamic light scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy, changes in the micelles were evident from principal component analysis of the Raman spectra. Whereas an efficient stealth effect was found for micelles formed from polymers with anionically charged or thiol end groups, a hydrophobic end group altered the micelles' structure sufficiently to adapt cell-type specificity and stealth properties in the liver.

Doxorubicin Intracellular Release Via External UV Irradiation of Dextran-g-poly(o-nitrobenzyl acrylate) Photosensitive Nanoparticles

In the present study, innovative doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) made of a photosensitive poly(o-nitrobenzyl acrylate) (PNBA) hydrophobic matrix and an hydrophilic dextran (Dex) shell were first formulated by the emulsion-solvent evaporation process. Doxorubicin (DOX), a very well-known anticancer drug, was herein chosen as the model. DOX-loaded NPs were successfully produced by covering the hydrophobic PNBA core with Dex chains either physically adsorbed or covalently linked by changing process parameters as the presence of a catalyst (CuBr or CuSO₄/ascorbic acid). It was then proved that the neutralization of DOX optimized drug loading. DOX loading and release were independent of the coverage mechanism if the catalyst used to covalently link the shell to the core was correctly chosen. Second, the kinetics of DOX release were investigated by simple diffusion or light irradiation of the NPs. Experiments showed that less than 20% of DOX was released by simple diffusion after 48 h in PBS or DMEM media when 45% of DOX released after only 30 s of light irradiation of the NPs. Finally, the impact of the phototriggered DOX release on cell viability was investigated on various cell lines [Caco-2, HepG2, HCT-116, and HT-29 cells as well as murine macrophages (RAW 264.7)]. Cellular mortality was evaluated to be dependent on the cell lines tested. Our approach provided an improved DOX release toward the human liver cancer cell line, and a high internalization of the PNBA-based NPs into HepG2 cells was observed using fluorescence microscopy.

Combining CROP and ATRP to synthesize pH-responsive poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline-b-4-vinylpyridine) block copolymers

Herein, we present the synthesis and characterization of block copolymers based on the biocompatible and stealth polymer poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and the polydentate ligand and pH-responsive poly(4-vinylpyridine).

Triblock-Diblock Composite Nanoassemblies with Sequentially Addressable Host-Guest Properties for Hydrophobics and Hydrophilics

Noncovalent encapsulation of multiple guest molecules with distinct physiochemical properties, especially hydrophilic and hydrophobic guests, into a single polymeric nanoassembly is challenging, but would be profoundly beneficial to combination therapeutic delivery strategies. Here, we report a nanocomposite co-assembled by coating a layer of an amphiphilic block copolymer onto surface of a crosslinked inverse micelle driven by hydrophobic interactions. The hydrophobic coating layer and water-filled inverse micelles were utilized to encapsulate hydrophobic and hydrophilic cargos respectively. Rationally introducing the pH and redox responsive moieties into coating polymer and inverse micelles, allows sequentially addressing triggered release of the encapsulated cargos.

Doxorubicin loaded pH responsive biodegradable ABA-type Amphiphilic PEG-b-aliphatic Polyketal-b-PEG block copolymer for therapy against aggressive murine lymphoma

A novel ABA-type polyethylene glycol (PEG)-b-polyketal (PK)-b-PEG block copolymer was synthesized via click reactions between the monoazido-monomethoxy-PEG and dialkyne terminated aliphatic polyketal with no carboxylic/amide linkages. Formation of the novel block copolymer was confirmed by ¹H NMR, GPC, TGA, and DSC studies. The formed copolymer has shown faster degradation at acidic pH. Self-assembly of this block copolymer (average size 6.2 nm) was assessed by fluorescence study using pyrene as a probe. Doxorubicin loaded block copolymeric micelles (69.9 nm) have shown pH dependent elevated drug release at pH 6.4, indicating its potential as a pH responsive nano-carrier for anticancer therapy. The nano-sized copolymer demonstrated tumoricidal activities against the lymphoma of murine and human origin with significant levels of growth inhibition and apoptosis. Therapy with doxorubicin loaded copolymer reduced the tumor size and augmented the life span of the tumor bearing animals with improved histopathological parameters, compared with the untreated control.

Poly[oligo(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)acrylate]-Based Poly(ionic liquid) Random Copolymers with Coexistent and Tunable Lower Critical Solution Temperature- and Upper Critical Solution Temperature-Type Phase Transitions

The synthesis of a series of dual thermosensitive nonionic-ionic random copolymers with varying compositions by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization is described. These copolymers contain oligo(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)acrylate (OEtOxA) and either triphenyl-4-vinylbenzylphosphonium chloride ([VBTP][Cl]) or 3- n-butyl-1-vinylimidazolium bromide ([VBuIm][Br]) ionic liquid (IL) units. The copolymers having low content of ionic poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) (P[VBTP][Cl]/P[VBuIm][Br]) segments show only lower critical solution temperature (LCST)-type phase transition with almost linear increase of their cloud points with increasing percentage of ionic PIL segments. Furthermore, LCST-type cloud points ( T_cLs) are found very sensitive and tunable with respect to the nature and concentration of halide ions (X^- = Cl^-, Br^-, and I^-) and copolymer compositions. However, copolymers with high content of ionic PIL segments show both LCST-type followed by upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-type phase transitions in the presence of halide ions. Dual LCST- and UCST-type phase behaviors are prominent and repeatable for many heating/cooling cycles. Both types of cloud points are found to be sensitive to copolymer compositions, concentration, and nature and concentration of the halide ions. The phase behaviors of both types of copolymers with a very high ionic content (>90%) are exactly similar to that of P[VBTP][Cl] or P[VBuIm][Br] homopolymers showing only UCST-type phase transition in the presence of halide ions. The inherent biocompatibility of the P(OEtOxA) segment along with the interesting dual thermoresponsiveness makes these copolymers highly suitable candidates for biomedical applications including drug delivery.

Self-Assembly of Block and Graft Copolymers in Organic Solvents: An Overview of Recent Advances

This review is an attempt to update the recent advances in the self-assembly of amphiphilic block and graft copolymers. Their micellization behavior is highlighted for linear AB, ABC triblock terpolymers, and graft structures in non-aqueous selective polar and non-polar solvents, including solvent mixtures and ionic liquids. The micellar characteristics, such as particle size, aggregation number, and morphology, are examined as a function of the copolymers' architecture and molecular characteristics.

Methionine-based cationic polypeptide/polypeptide block copolymer with triple-stimuli responsiveness: DNA polyplexation and phototriggered release

This work describes the synthesis of a multi-stimuli responsive methionine-based cationic polypeptide and its polypeptide block copolymer, followed by subsequent DNA polyplexation and phototriggered release.

Micellization of Photo-Responsive Block Copolymers

This review focuses on block copolymers featuring different photo-responsive building blocks and self-assembly of such materials in different selective solvents. We have subdivided the specific examples we selected: (1) according to the wavelength at which the irradiation has to be carried out to achieve photo-response; and (2) according to whether irradiation with light of a suitable wavelength leads to reversible or irreversible changes in material properties (e.g., solubility, charge, or polarity). Exemplarily, an irreversible change could be the photo-cleavage of a nitrobenzyl, pyrenyl or coumarinyl ester, whereas the photo-mediated transition between spiropyran and merocyanin form as well as the isomerization of azobenzenes would represent reversible response to light. The examples presented cover applications including drug delivery (controllable release rates), controlled aggregation/disaggregation, sensing, and the preparation of photochromic hybrid materials.

Gradient release of cardiac morphogens by photo-responsive polymer micelles for gradient-mediated variation of embryoid body differentiation

Retinoic acid (RA) is a well-known morphogen in human development. However, how an RA gradient distribution influences cardiac development remains obscure due to the lack of appropriate experimental apparatus. To address this issue, a polymeric micelle system with covalently attached RA was engineered to deliver gradient quantities of RA upon photo-irradiation. A photo-degradable polymeric nanoparticle (NP) composed of an amphiphilic methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone)-co-poly(azido-ε-caprolactone-g-ortho nitrobenzyl retinoic ester) copolymer was synthesized, and hanging RA was covalently attached through a photo-sensitive o-nitrobenzyl (ONB) linker. The ONB linker was efficiently cleaved when exposed to a light (365 nm)-gradient, and the consequent gradient release of RA from the micelles was demonstrated. The efficacy of the photo-gradient-mediated RA release was validated across different concentrations of polymer micelles over varied irradiation periods. It was confirmed that polymer micelles demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity when exposed to mouse embryoid bodies (EBs). Finally, when the photo-gradient release of polymer micelles was applied, GFP-cardiac troponin T reporter mouse EBs demonstrated a concurrent gradient-like pattern of cardiac differentiation, verifying the utility of our novel photo-gradient approach to study morphogen gradients not only for cardiac development but also for other potential biological microenvironments subject to morphogen presentation with highly defined spatial and temporal geometries.

A stimuli-responsive methionine-based zwitterionic methacryloyl sulfonium sulfonate monomer and the corresponding antifouling polymer with tunable thermosensitivity

This report describes a dual pH- and thermo-responsive methionine-based zwitterionic methacryloyl sulfonium sulfonate monomer and the corresponding zwitterionic antifouling polymer with ion-induced tunable thermosensitivity.